60 Ready-to-Use Coding Projects

Edited by Ellyssa Kroski

368 Pages

6 x 9

The lessons of ALA’s Libraries Ready to Code initiative are conclusive: your library can make a difference in developing computational thinking in children, teens, and even adults. And you don’t even need to be a techie to make it happen; in fact, many activities in this new book from tech champion Kroski dispense with a screen altogether in favor of twister boards, masking tape grids, or bowling pins. Other activities are built around affordable software or tech toys like Scratch Jr., Scratch, Bee-Bot, or Code-a-Pillar. Organized by age group, and complete with step-by-step guidance on everything from learning outcomes to an estimated budget, projects include

• teaching coding to preschoolers with beads, pipe cleaners, and elastic string;
• choreographing music videos with Ozobots;
• programming Mad Libs-style games using Python;
• teaching algorithms with story mapping, pattern play, or mazes;
• using Scratch for digital dress-up or meme remixes;
• team-building and outreach with robots;
• drop-in programs for exploration and unstructured play; and
• teaching adults with Lynda.com or Meetup partners.

This book’s structured presentation will help both school librarians and programming staff at public libraries quickly scan for projects that fit their needs.